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Welcome

Thank you for visiting us at Saint
Bernadette Church, which is a Roman Catholic parish located
in Bayou Vista - between Patterson and Berwick, Louisiana, in the Diocese of Lafayette. Our pastor is Father William (Fr. Bill) Rogalla.

Please pray for vocations to the priesthood in our Diocese so that one day each parish will have its own priest pastor in residence.

Catholics Come Home

There's an old saying that goes, “Once a Catholic, always a Catholic.” Maybe you have been away from the Church for a little while or quite some time, but somehow you now feel a tug at your heart calling you back home to the Catholic Church. That's why we're here.

Whether or not you know you want to return to the Catholic Church, we're here to help you take that second look.
That mysterious pull inside you, driving you to look into your faith once more, comes directly from God. Your Heavenly Father is yearning for a relationship with you again, in the Church founded by Jesus 2000 years ago. He's waiting for you with open arms.

Pope Francis urges us to learn to do now what we will do in heaven: Adore!

From Vatican News: At the Santa Marta Mass Pope Francis reflects on the way the people of Israel go up to the Temple with the Ark of the Covenant and adore God in silence. In his daily homily at Casa Santa Marta, Pope Francis began by reflecting on the first reading of the day, taken from the first book of Kings. The passage recounts how all the tribes of Israel came to King Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the Ark of the LORD's Covenant to the temple. Pope Francis noted how they were making an uphill journey, carrying with them the two stone tablets that God had given to Moses on Mount Horeb.

This examination of conscience is not intended merely as a checklist to be used prior to confession. The purpose of this examination is to help souls to know what actions or attitudes are sinful and the gravity of the particular sin. The hope is that this knowledge will serve to keep people from committing these sins.

* Three things are necessary for a sin to be mortal: 1. Serious matter (things listed on this sheet); 2. Knowledge or firm belief that the act is seriously wrong prior to committing the act; 3. Full consent to the will.

All three of these conditions must be present simultaneously for a sin to be mortal. This means that if you did not know the act was seriously wrong, then you are not guilty of having committed a mortal sin. If you did not will the act, e.g., if you were forced or if it was in a dream, you are not guilty of having committed a mortal sin.

All mortal sins committed since your last confession must be confessed by both type and number, i.e., the title of the sin and how many times it was done. If there is a mortal sin from the past that was forgotten and has not been confessed, it should be confessed at your next confession. It is not necessary to confess venial sins, but it is a good and pious practice.

One of the greatest graces for our parish is Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in our chapel. To quote Pope John Paul II; “We come here to meet the Heart of Jesus pierced for us, from which water and blood gush. It is the redeeming love, which is at the origin of salvation, of our salvation, which is at the origin of the Church. Now still today, the living Christ loves us and presents His Heart to us as the source of our redemption… We are called not only to meditate and contemplate on this mystery of Christ's love; we are called to take part in it.

It is the mystery of the Holy Eucharist, the center of our Faith, the center of our worship of Christ's merciful love manifested in His Sacred Heart, a mystery which is adored here night and day. In the Eucharist – this is also the meaning of perpetual adoration – we enter the movement of love from which all interior progress and all apostolate efficacy springs.” Mother Teresa taught “When you look at the crucifix, you understand how much Jesus loved you then. When you look at the Sacred Host you understand how much Jesus loves you now.”

This voter's guide helps you cast your vote in an informed manner consistent with Catholic moral teaching. This voter's guide identifies five issues involving "non-negotiable" moral values in current politics and helps you narrow down the list of acceptable candidates, whether they are running for national, state, or local offices.

We all struggle with original sin, so this means
families struggle with the dysfunction that arises
from the effects of original sin. We have
witnessed an increase of addictive behaviors in
our society, in our families, in our loved ones.
Whenever there is a person struggling with
alcoholism, drug addiction, sex/pornography
addiction, or compulsive gambling; there is at least
one person enabling them to continue in this self
destructive path. This enabler's (and there can be several for each person) actions are described as
co-dependent. Al-Anon began to help people who
loved an alcoholic learn how to love the person
while setting healthy boundaries for themselves.
There is a new Al-Anon meeting beginning in
Bayou Vista at the Community Center. (1333 Bellview Street )
It will
meet weekly on Tuesday nights at 6 PM. It is open to anyone
over 18 years old who is affected be a loved one struggling with an addiction.

Developers of new Apple app say it could bring Catholics back to confession

SOUTH BEND,Ind. (CNS) --Can modern technology help strengthen our faith? Some techno-savvy Catholics from South Bend think so. In his message for the 2011 World Communications Day, Pope Benedict XVI said it's not enough to just "proclaim the Gospel through the new media," but one must also "witness consistently." The developers of "Confession: A Roman Catholic App" for Apple's iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch think their product helps people do both. Brothers Patrick and Chip Leinen and their friend Ryan Kreager said feedback has been positive. The app, reportedly the only one with an imprimatur, is designed to help people make a better confession.

Laws that permit or promote abortion, infanticide, human cloning, destructive embryo research or physician-assisted suicide ignore the sanctity of each human life and undermine the foundation of a just and healthy society. As citizens and people of faith, each of us should actively advance our convictions in the public square in every legitimate and ethical way. We should rededicate ourselves to upholding the sanctity of human life, and hold those elected to represent us to the same standard. Please Read More...

The Catholic Directory App will help you quickly find the nearest churches, Mass Times, Web sites, Maps, Directions, Staff, Bulletins, and other important information. This App replaces the highly rated original Mass Times Catholic Church Finder, but is now FREE of charge and includes several upgrades. It's now even easier to find the nearest church, their Mass schedule, map, and directions when traveling.

In 2018, the Diocese of Lafayette marks a major milestone in its history. It was 100 years ago that Catholics in South Louisiana, formerly part of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, received a Papal Bull declaring the creation of the Diocese of Lafayette, and that same year we welcomed our first shepherd, Bishop Jules Jeanmard. Please join us as we look back on the people, places and events that shaped our past, and as we look with joyful hope to our future.
Read more about our Diocese and explore our Centennial Celebration ....

I feel many different emotions standing here at Ground Zero,where thousands of lives were taken in a senseless act of destruction. Here grief is palpable. The water we see flowing towards that empty pit reminds us of all those lives which fell prey to those who think that destruction, tearing down, is the only way to settle conflicts. It is the silent cry of those who were victims of a mindset which knows only violence, hatred and revenge. A mindset which can only cause pain, suffering, destruction and tears.Please read more...

The charity of God urges us,
encourages us, and impels us
to seek
the needs of others,
rather than self.

The BISHOP’S SERVICES APPEAL (BSA) has been Supporting the Works of Christ by serving others and ministering to those in need since 1973. The BSA is an annual appeal, accomplished as a result of the combined participation of our 121 church parishes and 28 missions. Located across eight civil parishes, the Diocese of Lafayette is able to make available vital programs, ministries and services through the generosity of donors.